Wolf's plan would inject millions into career training, STEM

Bill Cameron

Thursday

May 16, 2019 at 8:53 PMMay 16, 2019 at 8:53 PM

BARTONSVILLE — Lawmakers and local officials gathered Thursday at the Monroe Career and Technical Institute for a tour of the school’s facilities. The tour touted some of the successes of last year’s launch of the PAsmart program, a state initiative that provided $20 million to bolster STEM and computer science in schools and nearly $10 million to expand apprenticeships and job training.

The visit also gave officials an opportunity to discuss new ways of improving the region’s career training offerings.

“This, to me, is our future,” said state Sen. Mario Scavello (R-40). “If we don’t address the needs that are here within our county, within our nation, then shame on us. The skilled laborers, they’re at that point in their lives we’re they’re starting to retire. There’s no one stepping into those positions.”

“So, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, refrigeration, automotive repair — those jobs, we’re lacking the people to go into those fields. If we don’t make that opportunity available, shame on us.”

“These are jobs that will never end up in China,” he added. “They have to be here. That plumber has to go to your house. That electrician has to go to your house. That automotive person has to fix the vehicle right here. So, anything we can do to expand and make more opportunities for those young men and ladies, this is the place to do it.”

The tour was organized in part to showcase Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed Statewide Workforce, Education and Accountability Program (SWEAP), which would build on last year’s PAsmart program. That plan would expand early childhood development programs, increase investments in schools and educators, and partner with professionals in the private sector to open to opportunities for apprenticeships and job training.

Joining on Thursday’s tour were Scavello, state Rep. Maureen Madden (D-115) and Deputy Secretary for Workforce Development Eileen Cipriani of the state department of Labor and Industry, along with several area educators. The state officials took the opportunity to chat with institute administrators and hear first-hand from students about their career training experiences.

“My freshman year, I did full-day at Pocono Mountain East, and something about it just wasn’t enough me,” said Keira Carrington, a Pocono Mountain East High School senior studying computer networking and security at MCTI. “I felt like I was getting as much out of it as I should have been. My guidance counselor brought up MCTI, so my mom and I talked about it. We went on a tour, and I fell in love with what they have here.”

“They have so much to offer. I’ve been earning certifications in my class. I’ve been gaining so much technical skill in my class. I’ve done so much more than I ever would have been able to do if I stayed full-day at Pocono Mountain East.”

Officials closed the tour with a roundtable discussion about how future programs could be best implemented. The day’s discussions may have also spurred some future legislation, as Scavello and Madden at one point discussed openness to possibly introducing companion bills in the House and Senate that could help expand options for continuing education through career and technical programs at other institutions, though details were limited.

The components of Wolf’s SWEAP plan include:

$20 million to expand computer science and STEM education$7 million to expand registered apprenticeships$3 million to expand job training through Next Generation Industry Partnerships$6 million to expand adult career and technical education programs$4 million to expand Manufacturing to Career Training Grants

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.